FEWER than 3 per cent of third level students come from disadvantaged backgrounds, the USI annual congress was told yesterday.
In a debate on making disadvantaged access a priority, Irish colleges were criticised for failing to reflect the State's socioeconomic diversity. The union agreed to step up its campaign to increase the participation of traditionally excluded groups in third level education.
The USI welfare officer, Ms Helen Ryan, said inadequate financial support was the biggest obstacle to disadvantaged access. The standard weekly maintenance grants of £44.70, if living away from home, and £17.70, if living at home, are significantly less than average social welfare payments, she said.
Students on these grants are living well below the poverty line. Many simply find they can't afford to stay in college."
There are three ways for a student to overcome this problem, she added: "You can get your parents to take out a loan; you can get in debt yourself; or you can take on part time work, which is detrimental to your studies."
Calls were made for colleges to increase their allocation of places to people from disadvantaged areas. There was criticism of UCD for failing to introduce 70 such places promised last year.
Mr Cormac Moore, UCD SU education officer, said more money should also be invested in college facilities. "If facilities are bad, it's students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are going to suffer most," he said.
Unless colleges become less "elitist, middle class and unequal", he said, many people will continue to avoid attempting to enter third level education.
Mr Colin O'Brien, of the National College of Industrial Relations SU, said educational programmes in disadvantaged areas need to be promoted more effectively. Of 80 Leaving Certificate students in one school in Blanchardstown, Dublin, last year, only four went on to third level education, he said.
The USI is next year to expand its outreach programme, under which colleges seek to encourage young people from excluded groups in their locality to consider third level education. Such projects are already in operation at UCC, UL and DCU.
"The programme is aimed at breaking down a mental block among some young people that they can't continue studying. It also promotes an educational interest," said Ms Ciara Fitzpatrick, president of DCU Students' Union. In addition to visiting a number of disadvantaged estates in north Dublin, DCU students organise grinds for about 400, Junior and Leaving Certificate pupils each year under the scheme.
Another issue highlighted yesterday was the plight of Post Leaving Certificate students who are not entitled to third level grants and study in sub standard accommodation.
Mr Justin Sinnott, of UCD SU, said about half of PLC colleges in Dublin used prefabs as classrooms. "Library facilities and eating facilities are non existent in many of these colleges."
Controls have to be put in place, he added, to ensure a high quality of teaching and certification.
